The 2012-2016 American Community Survey five-year estimates released today by the Census Bureau feature more than 40 social, economic, housing and demographic topics, including homeowner rates and costs, health insurance and educational attainment.
The following highlights compare the 2012-2016 American Community Survey five-year estimates to the 2007-2011 American Community Survey five-year estimate for the state of Arkansas and its counties. Only statistically significant changes are mentioned below; the counties that did not see a statistically significant change from one time period to the other are not mentioned.
Educational Attainment
In Arkansas the percent of the population 25 years and over with a Bachelor’s degree or higher was 21.5 percent between 2012 and 2016. This is an increase from 19.6 percent from the 2007-2011 American Community Survey five-year estimates data.
Of the 75 counties in Arkansas, 21 counties (28.0 percent) experienced an increase in the percent of the population 25 years and over with a Bachelor’s degree or higher, while the percent with a Bachelor’s degree or higher declined in 2 counties (2.7 percent). Monroe and Sharp Counties both saw a decline.
The state and 34 counties (45.3 percent) also saw an increase in the percent of the population 25 years and over with a high school diploma or higher. None of the counties experienced a decline.
Language Spoken at Home
Between 2012 and 2016, 7.1 percent (197,665) of the population age 5 and older in Arkansas spoke a language other than English at home, an increase from 6.9 percent in the 2007-2011 American Community Survey five-year estimates data.
Twelve counties in the state (16.0 percent) saw an increase in the percentage age 5 and over speaking a language other than English at home, while eight counties (10.7 percent) saw a decrease.
Median Household Income
Of the 75 counties in Arkansas, 11 counties (14.7 percent) experienced a decline in median household income, while median household income increased in 3 counties (4.0 percent). The counties which experienced an increase are Benton County, Chicot County, and St. Francis County.
Between 2012 and 2016, the state’s median household income was $42,336, a decrease from $42,857 in the 2007-2011 American Community Survey five-year estimates data.
Poverty
The state and 17 of its counties (22.7 percent) experienced an increase in the poverty rate for the population 18 to 64 years of age from 2007-2011 to 2012-2016. During this time no counties experienced a decrease in the 18 to 64 year poverty rate.
On the other hand, the poverty rate for the population 65 years and over decreased in Arkansas and 9 of its counties (12.0 percent). One county (Greene) experienced an increase in the poverty rate for the 65 years and over population.
About the American Community Survey
For more information on the American Community Survey please visit www.census.gov. To access state, county, or city data profiles visit our website. For more detailed tables visit the Census Bureau’s American FactFinder. If you have questions or need assistance finding data please contact the Arkansas Economic Development Institute at 501-569-8519 or jlyoungquist@ualr.edu.
